3.John2Collins (John1) was born Abt. 1590 in Maidstone, Kent Co., England, and died July 15, 1686 in Essex Co., VA (Source: Anst File#: SKJ1-BH & 1Z8D-WZ5.). He married (1) Unknown Bef. 1615 in Maidstone, Kent Co., England (Source: LDS.). She was born Abt. 1595 in England, and died Abt. 1635 in England. He married (2) ElizabethCaufield Aft. 1654 in Chippoakes Parish, Surry Co., VA, daughter of William Caufield and Dorcas Unknown. She was born Abt. 1630 in Chippoakes Parish, Surry Co., VA, and died Bef. 1684 in King and Queen or Essex Co., VA. He married (3) MargaretWeeks April 1684 in Essex Co., VA (Source: LDS.), daughter of Abraham Weeks. She was born Abt. 1660 in Isle of Wight Co., VA (Source: LDS.).
Notes for John Collins:
In 1644, John inherited the title Keeper of the Gaol of Maidstone. He also inherited the gaol house and had charge of all its prisoners. This title had been granted to his father by King Charles I by letters patent dated February 27, 1631. This inheritance gave John a position of power and influence that he could pass on to his heirs.
John was a strong supporter of King Charles. After Parliament overthrew and executed Charles, the group that supported him sought safety in Virginia. John Collins left England and came to Virginia sometime before October 2, 1655, when George Frizell and Thomas Moore received land for transporting him to Virginia. It would seem likely that John fled to America before, or soon after, the execution as payment for passage often occurred many years later. John settled in Lawne's Creek Parish, Surry Co., VA. This parish was named for Christopher Lawne, who settled at the mouth of the creek in 1619.
Sources for the above: 1) History of Kent County England Vol. 2, p. 110; 2) Cavaliers and Pioneers 1623-1666 by Nugent, p. 324; 3) History of the Collins Family of Caroline County Virginia by Herbert Ridgeway Collins, 1954; 4) Burke's American Families with British Ancestry, 1975; 5) The Collins and Travis Families and Their Allies by Mary Collins Landon, 1982; 6) World Family Tree Vol. 11, tree 0778; and 7) various references from the LDS.
John married Margaret Weeks (when he was 93-years old) in April 1684. They were married at the home of her father, Abraham Weeks. After John died (two years later in July 1686), Abraham Weeks signed John's estate papers on July 7, 1686, in Essex Co., VA. Source: World Family Tree Vol. 11, tree 0778.
Notes for Elizabeth Caufield:
1691: Lawne's Creek Parish, Surry Co., VA. Will of Captain Robert Caufield names: niece Elizabeth, wife of William Holt, niece Mary, wife of James Bruton, and nephew John Seward. He left a legacy to: Mary, daughter of Charles Williams, Mrs. Mary Holt £15 sterling, Frances, daughter of Francis Mason, Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur Allen, Katherine and James, children of Arthur Allen, Mrs. Elizabeth Holt, William Hancocke and his wife, Samuel Newton, and John Collins' wife Elizabeth. Dated: January 2, 1691. Proved: January 19, 1691. Captain Robert Caufield was the son of William Caufield of the Parish of Chippoakes, Surry Co., and Doreas his wife. In 1654, Robert Caufield had a sister Elizabeth. Robert married Elizabeth Allen, sister of Arthur Allen, and she married secondly, Col. William Bridger. Source: William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine Vol. 7, No. 4. (April 1899), pp. 310-311.
Child of John Collins and Unknown is:
